Target-trap



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. P. BRETT.

TARGET TRAP. No. 434,077. Patented Aug 12, 1890.

TTE 6T THE Norms PETE RRRR mo'rmumm, WASHINGTON, n. c.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W, P.'BP ETT. TARGET TRAP.

No. 434,077. Patented Aug. 12, 1890.

AT- ES-P IN v EN Q w.-@;@m 9M 4% a M g -Q M pose the trigger for the arm.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM P. BRETT, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

TARGET-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,077, dated August 12, 1890.

Application filed June 19, 1886. Renewed February 5, 18 90- Serial No. 339,220. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM P. BRETT, of the city of Decatur, county of Macon, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Target-Traps, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to produce a cheap, simple, strong, and durable trap that will give the targets a steady motion through the air, avoiding all wavering or fluttering, and by means of which targets may be projected at any angle and to any desired distance. In order that the targets may be thrown with a motion that will insure their steady flight, the target-arm should always swing in a perfect plane, and to accomplish this the operating-spring should lie entirely on a plane with the arm. Should the spring not lie on a plane with the arm, the bearing of said arm will soon become worn untrue by indirect tension, and the arm will then swing with a variable motion that will cause the targets to waver. To put the target under perfect control, the angle of adjustment should be capable of almost infinite variation so that the direction of the projection of the target may be accurately regulated, and the strength of the spring should be capable of regulation in order that the speed of flight and distance of projection may be determined and varied.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my device. Fig. 2 is a plan of the frame, arm, and spring, with their adjuncts. Fig. 3 is a plan of the base-standard. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the arm-pivot. Fig. 5 is an end view of the cross-head of the frame, the same being partly broken to ex- Fig. 6 is a plan of the target-holding clamp, and Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same.

a represents the trap-frame.

b is the cross-head of frame a, recessed in its-upper surface to receive the trigger for the arm.

I) is a guide-slot for the arm in head I).

b is a pin in the head b that limits the upward throw of the trigger.

c is the trap-arm pivoted to the frame a and provided at its outer end with a target-clamping device.

(1 represents the pivot-bearing for the arm 0 in the frame a.

6 represents the enlarged and bifurcated pivotal bearing of the arm, f f representing the bifurcations.

g is a link that pivots between the bifurcations of the arm and connects the arm with the spring.

h is the spring on a plane with the arm.

7 is a bolt connected with the spring h.

k is a nut that co-operates with the bolt i to regulate the tension of spring 72..

Z is a trigger, formed entirely of a piece of wire bent in the form indicated in Fig. 5.

m is a cord with whichthe trigger is thrown.

n or represent an angle-plate that combines with the standard and frame to form a com pound joint.

0 is the standard, of a diminished size and cylindrical form at its lower end. V

p is an annular base for the standard, vertically cleft and provided with opposing flanges q.

1) represents supports for the base, which permit a certain amount of circumferential expansion and contraction therein.

r is a bifurcated lever that embraces flanges q and, by means of inclined faces on the'lever and flanges, regulates the approach thereof.

3 represents a target-clamp, formed of a lower supporting-plate, an upper clampingplate w, elastically connected with the lower plate and provided with downwardly-projecting rib u, a post w extending through the clamp and provided at its upper end with a radially-adjustable spur ii, an arc-formed cam 10' on the upper surface of the upper portion of the clamp, and lugst on the upper surface of the lower portion of the clamp. 0

3 represent attaching brackets for the springs.

z in Fig. 4 indicates an enlarged cylindrical portion of the pivot-bolt, slightly longer than the width of the arm at e, and .2 indicates a diminished and threaded portion of said bolt.

In operation the arm 0 is carried around into the slot 17', where it is held by the springtrigger Z until released by a pull on the cord m. The target is placed in the clamp with I00 its lower circumference fitting under and against the lugs 25 and an upper circumferential ridge fitting under the clainp-rib it. The clamp is then swung backward to the right or in the direction of the swing of the lever, and the cam w passes under the spur o and compresses the clamp sufficiently to firmly retain the target. This operation carries the target nearer the pivot of the arm, and when said arm is thrown by the spring the centrifugal forceof the target carries it to the greatest possible distance from the pivot of the arm, thereby moving the cam from under the spur and effecting its own release. By adjusting the spur with relation to the cam the discharge of the target, as above stated, may be either hastened or retarded, as may be necessary, to produce the best results. The spring, tension-regulator, and arm being all on a right plane, there is no tendency in the pivot-joint to wear untrue; but, on the contrary, an untrue joint will tend to wear true by the constant operation of the arm and spring in the same plane. The slot 17 is'on a plane with the arm and spring, and therefore aids in the accuracy of the operation by preventing the discharge of the arm before the trigger is entirely below the slot. Part n of the angle-plate permits longitudinal adj ustment in the frame. Part 91 permits transverse adjustment in the frame, and either part may be operated separately, thus permitting a longitudinal adjustment without affecting the transverse position, and vice versa. By means of the cleft in the base and the compressing-lever the standard may be readily and accurately adj usted to any point of the compass, and when so adjusted may be readily and firmly secured.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A target-trap consisting in the combination of a frame, a cross-arm on the frame, and a trigger in the cross-arm, a target-projecting arm pivoted on the frame and provided with a target-clamp on its outer end, a spring connected with the inner end of the arm and with the frame, a tension-regulator for the spring, a standard for the frame, and a compoundjoint formed of an angle-plate having one face adjustably secured to the standard and the other face adjustably secured to the frame, the spring, tension-regulator, and target-arm all being in the same plane, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A target-trap consisting in the combination of a frame, a cross-arm on the frame, and a trigger in the cross-arm, a target-projecting armpivoted on the frame provided with a target-holding clamp on its outer end and bifurcated at right angles with its pivot at the other end, a spring connected with the frame and with the inner end of the arm in the bi furcation thereof, a standard for the frame, and a compound joint formed of an angleplate having one face adjustably secured to the standard and the other face adjustably secured to the frame, the spring, tension-regulator, and target-projecting arm all being in the same plane, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, in target-traps, of a frame, a cross-arm on the frame, and a trigger in the cross-arm,a target-proj ectin g arm pivoted 011 the frame and provided with a targetclamp in its outer end, a spring connected with the inner end of the target-projecting arm and with the frame, a tension-regulator for the spring, a standard for the frame, a compound joint for the standard and frame composed of an angle-plate and adjustable securingbolts, a cleft base for the standard, and means whereby the cleft base may be compressed on the standard, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In target-traps, in combination, a frame a, carrying a target-throwing arm and provided with a vertical disk-face, a standard 0, provided with a vertical disk-face at approximate right angles with the disk-face of the frame, and an angle-plate, as n a, secured to the disk-faces of the frame and standard by adjustable bolts, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In target-traps, in combination, a frame carrying a target-throwing arm, a standard to which the frame is pivoted having a cylindrical lower termination, a cleft base encompassing the cylindrical termination and havin g beveled-faced flanges on opposite sides of the cleft, and a bifurcated lever embracing the flanges and pivoting thereon in such a manner that when thrown in one direction it will compress the base on the standard, as andfor the purpose set forth.

6. In clamps for target-traps, the combination of a lower supporting-plate, an upper clamping-plate elastically connected with the lower plate, a post extending from the throwing-arm through both plates, a spur projecting from the post above the upper plate, an arc-formed cam on the upper surface of the upper plate concentric with the post, and guide-lugs on the upper surface of the lower plate, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In clamps for target-traps, the combination of a lower supporting-plate, an upper clamping-plate elastically connected with the lower plate, a post extending from the throw ing-arm through both plates, a radially-adjustable spur projecting from the post above the upper plate, an arc-formed cam on the upper surface of the upper plate concentric with the post, and guide-lugs on the upper surface of the lower plate, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A clamp for target-traps composed of a single plate of elastic material bent to occupy two parallel planes, a post extending from the target-throwing arm through both planes, a spur projecting from the post above the upper plane, an arc-formed cam on the upper surface of the upper plane concentric ,with the post, and guide-lugs on'the upper surface of the lower plane, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In clamps for target-traps, the combination of a lower supporting-plate, an upper clamping-plate elasticallyconnected with the lower plate, a post extending from the throwing-arm through both plates, a spur projecting from the post above the upper plate, and an arc-formed cam on the upper surface of the upper plate concentric with the post, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In pedestals for target-traps, in combination, the cylindrical cleft base having bevelfaced flanges on opposite sides of the cleft, the bifurcated lever embracing the flanges and having bevel faces adapted thereto, and the bolt passing through the lever and flanges, as I 5 and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WM. P. BRETT. Attest:

O. C. CLARK, L. P. GRAHAM. 

